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Police ready for any poll result violence

Marguerite Afra Sapiie

The Jakarta Post

PREMIUM

Jakarta /
Sat, May 18, 2019 / 10:28 am

Taking no chances: A terror suspect arrives at the National Police headquarters under tight security in Jakarta on Friday. Between January and April, 68 terror suspects linked with the Jamaah Ansharut Daulah were arrested.(JP/Seto Wardhana)

The government is anticipating potential trouble ahead of the wrap-up of the official vote tally on May 22, amid reports that supporters of losing presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto are planning to take to the streets to challenge the election result.
Security officials fear street protests may descend into violence after the discovery of an apparent plot by a local terrorist cell linked to the Islamic State (IS) movement to exploit the situation with an attack, even though analysts have cast doubt on such a scenario materializing.
The National Police have advised the public not to join the planned rally — set to be held at the General Elections Commission (KPU) headquarters in Jakarta — for security reasons, including the possible terrorist attack.
At least 68 terror suspects have been arrested by the police’s antiterrorist squad Densus 88 since January. ...